Home and property
Florida contractors should be checked before storm repairs
After a storm, Florida homeowners should slow down enough to check licenses, contracts, permits, and claim paperwork.
Storm repairs can feel urgent, but the paperwork still matters.
Before signing, check the contractor license, the company name, the person you are dealing with, and the exact work in the contract. Roof, electrical, plumbing, mold, and structural jobs may have different license and permit questions. A business card or truck decal is not the same as a verified license.
Insurance adds another layer. Keep the claim number, adjuster contact, photos, estimates, deposit records, permit papers, and written changes in one folder. Be careful with anything that asks you to sign over benefits, rush a decision, or skip the permit office. That does not mean every fast offer is bad. It means the repair should be clear before money changes hands.
Start with DBPR’s license search and the Florida CFO storm repair guidance. Then ask your city or county building office what permit path fits the job.
Official sources
Last checked against these sources: June 30, 2026.